Not since Edward Scissorhands
has Tim Burton made a film as personal as his latest stop-mo animated
feature Frankenweenie, and
after a string of less than stellar efforts in recent years, one
can understand how fans of the singular filmmaker would wish it to be
an unqualified success. Unfortunately, the success here is hardly
unqualified, although it at least marks an improvement over duds like
Alice in Wonderland and Dark Shadows.
Based on Burton's own short from 1984,
the first half briskly lays out the world of young Victor
Frankenstein, whose canine friend Sparky stars in his homemade
monster movies. There's not much else that interests him in his quiet
town of New Holland, which was no doubt chosen as the setting so that
they could stick a windmill on the hill. He shies away from his
neighbors and classmates, most of whom represent broad caricatures of
legendary horror actors and characters. When sparky is felled by an
untimely car, the grieving Victor decides to try out a little science
experiment, figuring that enough electricity can revitalize his dead
dog's nervous system and bring him back to life. This portion is when
the movie is at its best, serving up an even blend of horror
pastiche, macabre humour, but ultimately pathos (as Danny Elfman's
mournful violins make perfectly clear). It also avoids needless
dialogue, often allowing Burton's black-and-white compositions to tell the
story, especially effective in the critical reanimation scene.
